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We all love our Game Boys. Join me in looking at what games we were playing and buying for
the system, 20 years ago.
Welcome to yet another episode of the Retro Gaming Chart Show. Every month, I’ll be
taking a look at the gaming charts from years gone by, to see what was hot and what was
definitely not, way back when.
In this, the month of September, let’s cast our minds back over 20 years ago, to September,
1994, and issue 21 of GamesMaster magazine, the long-running all-format games magazine,
based on the long gone UK television show. This month, we’re going to be looking at
the Top 10 Game Boy charts. Pokemon was a long way off, so we had to make do with these
games.
Propping up the chart at Number 10 is Pac-Man’s better half, Ms. Pac-Man. By now, you’ve
probably all played a Pac-Man game, and this one is really no different.
The massively popular Amiga football game was ported to a ton of systems, including
the humble Game Boy. Being the UK chart, it’s no surprise that it comes in at an impressive
number 9.
The first Nintendo release is at number 8, with Super Mario Land 2: Six Golden Coins.
Beautiful graphics, tons of crazy levels and world and the debut of the villainous and
greedy Wario made this game one of the best on Nintendo’s little grey box of tricks.
One of the most heinous acts of advertising is at number seven, with Cool Spot - A game
featuring an element of a soft drink’s logo. It’s a so-so platformer, so it’s quite
puzzling to see how it sold so well.
Everyone loves Kirby, and while his debut on the Game Boy isn’t quite as good as later
games, it’s still a popular release, coming in at a respectable 6.
Ever wanted to be part of the crew of the USS Enterprise, while sitting on the loo?
Considering this game comes in at number 5, a lot of people did. Engage. Make it so, and
other Picard-isms.
One of the best handheld games ever made is at number 4. Zelda: Link’s Awakening is
the first proper portable Zelda and is an incredibly attempt at fitting in some of A
Link To The Past’s mechanics into a tiny cartridge. To this day, it’s still a great
game.
At number 3 is the first instance of Kirby becoming a mascot for an unrelated game. With
that said, Kirby’s Pinball Land kind of makes sense, and for a pinball videogame it’s
pretty damn good, and a perfect fit for a portable system.
It be over by now, but the UK is still gripped by World Cup Fever as the Game Boy rendition
of the tournament is at number 2 in the charts. It sure is a football game.
At number one is another Mario game, it’s the third Super Mario Land, otherwise known
as Wario Land. Wario’s playable debut takes the series into even more surreal directions
than ever before, and doesn’t play like any Mario game before it. The result is another
cracking platformer for the system.
So that was the Game Boy charts of September, 1994, and it’s quite surprising to see which
games made the cut. If you enjoyed this look into the gaming past, then you really should
click that subscribe button below so you’ll know when all of my future videos are available.
While you’re at it, why not let me know which of this month’s games you’ve played,
and what you think of them.
Thanks for watching, and I hope to see you very soon!